Ocean City, MD –– Governor Wes Moore attended the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and Maryland Sheriffs’ Association’s annual public safety conference in Ocean City on Monday, September 8, 2025, to recognize outstanding law enforcement personnel across the state. The event, a key training seminar for over 350 law enforcement leaders and industry partners, highlighted Maryland’s recent crime reductions while honoring officers for exceptional service.
Moore presented the Valor Award to Deputy First Class Mark Shayne and Deputy Earl Buffa of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department for their life-saving rescue of a woman from a burning car. The Medal of Honor went to Officer First Class Joseph DeBronzo and Officer First Class Christopher Weir of the Howard County Police Department, who intervened in a gunfire incident to protect a mother and child from an armed assailant. The Maryland Transportation Authority Police received the Exceptional Police Performance award for their heroic efforts before and after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
Moore said, “Today’s honorees are the best of our state, the ones who run toward danger when others run from it. Through the extraordinary contributions of our brave men and women in uniform, Maryland has delivered some of the most impressive drops in crime in the entire entire country. In partnership, we have made Maryland safer. It’s clear we still have more to do. But with this team, I know we will continue to ensure true public safety in every part of the state.”
The conference serves as the flagship event for Maryland’s law enforcement community, with the Chiefs and Sheriffs’ Associations advocating for local police and training future executives. Maryland Chiefs of Police Association Incoming President Stephen Yates said, “We appreciate Governor Moore for joining us as we honored the outstanding service of officers across the state. We are immensely proud of the dedication and sacrifice of these brave men and women, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the governor as we work to strengthen safety, effectiveness, and public trust in Maryland’s finest.”
Maryland Sheriff’s Association President James T. DeWees added, “The Maryland Sheriffs’ Association is committed to ensuring that our members have everything they need to continue their service to the people of Maryland. Governor Moore’s presence at today’s ceremony is a testament to his ongoing commitment to both working with us, and honoring the sacrifices of first responders and their families.”
The Moore-Miller Administration has backed these efforts with nearly $122 million in the FY 2026 budget for local police statewide. Since taking office, it has invested over $58 million in the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center to enhance collaboration and data sharing, contributing to a decade-low in statewide homicides and non-fatal shootings. On Friday, September 5, Moore and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the reinstatement of state law enforcement resources to support Baltimore, where homicides have dropped to a 50-year low after eight years of over 300 annual incidents.
To bolster recruitment, the administration launched the Public Safety Apprenticeship Program in 2024 via the Growing Apprenticeships and Public Safety Workforce Act. Administered by the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning, it offers a $200,000 start-up grant for two years and a $5,000 per apprentice stabilization grant to offset training costs. Additionally, the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, signed in 2025, strengthens penalties for reckless driving effective October 1, protecting officers like Montgomery County Police Sergeant Patrick Kepp, who lost both legs after a high-speed collision.
These initiatives reflect a state-level push to enhance public safety, with Moore emphasizing resource support for law enforcement. The conference, held at a popular coastal venue, drew leaders from urban and rural jurisdictions, reinforcing a unified approach.
The administration’s focus on crime reduction aligns with preliminary data showing significant declines, though exact figures await final reports. Moore’s participation underscores his administration’s priority on law enforcement partnerships, a theme consistent since his January 2023 inauguration.
For more on the Moore-Miller Administration’s public safety efforts, visit priorities.maryland.gov/pages/public-safety.